Post cap



D. MOQANIEL March 21, 1933.

POST'CAP Filed Oct. 13, 1930 Patented Mar. 21, 1933- oN-irso s r-Ares PATENTOFFICE DONALD MCDANIEL, or HAMILTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR To THE HAMILTON-FOUNDRY AND MACHINE COMPANY, or summon, 0310, A conromrrouor'omo POST CAP Application filed October 1a, 1930. 1 Serial" at. 488,370.

joined into. an assembly, and readily and securely attachable to a post end, for the'support of signs and thelike. V t V Another object of the invention is the provision of a post cap incorporating means for attachment to a post end and article supporting means, and a clamping device operable to hold the cap in engagement with the post end and to securely position the ar-' ticle supported thereon. j

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe following description, the accompanying drawing and the appended claims.

In the drawing, which illustrates preferred embodiments of the invention as applied to a street sign posti a Fig. 1 is a side elevational View of a post cap constructed in accordance with this' invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View taken on the line'22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the under side of a' cap member;

Fig. 4 is'a plan wcdging members; i

Fig. 5 isa view in perspective ofa spacing member; and

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of a post cap showing a somewhat different arrangement of parts. v

The drawing, in whichlike characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views thereof, illustrates a post cap which is adaptedto be readily attached to the end of a. post, such as an upright standview of the assembled ard in the form of a common pipe. The in-, vention is particularly applicable to the at tachment and support of. streetsignsfbut is susceptible to other adaptations and uses;

Thepost'cap comprises generally an attaching clamp having a cap member 10- which is adapted to be held in clamped engagement 7 upon the end of a post or pipe 11 upon actuation of a wedging means designated generally 12. The wedgingmeans is actuated by structure with the post end, but also provides for the attachment of one or more articles which are to be supported by the post cap 15 which is positioned below the wedging' means '12, and which extends; upwardly through and beyond the cap' memberlO, ter

min'ating in a threaded end 16 which is engaged by a nut 17. The nut maybe provided in any desired formsuch as the nut of a common machine bolt, or. it maybe proivided in a decorative design such as is illus -c,

trated. V p The articles to be supported by the post cap are positioned between the cap member 10 and the nut 17 so that upon drawing' the nut 17 tight upon the bolt 14 the wedge means are drawn into clamping engagement by tensioning the supported articles so that they areheld securely in place. As shown, the cap'member 10 is provided with spaced parallel ribs 20 which are symmetrically positioned with re spect to the central opening 21 through which the stem of the bolt 14 passes. The ribs 20 is preferably lettered only on one side so that upon being assembled back to back. between the ribs and the bolt each exposed face-will have imprinted thereon the desiredinformation. x i r A spacing member 25 isassembled'upon the bolt stem 14 to rest against the top edges of l the signs'24 for their further support; The

spacing memberis preferably an integrally formed casting having a plate portion 26' provided with a clearance hole Q'Zfor the bolt stem. Opposite sides of the face 26 are .provided with parallel downwardly extending flanges 28 having inner adjacent faces spaced similarly to that of the ribs so that the flanges 28 will overlie the top edges of the signs 24. Extending from theface 26in the.

opposite direction to the flanges 28 are upstanding lugs 30 of substantially the same thickness asthe flanges 28, and'spaced apart a distanceequal tothe over-all width of the face 26; that is, the dimension of the face 26 from the outside of one flange 28 to the outside of the opposite flange. Upon assemling the two signs 24 on'the cap 10 and then placing a spacing member 25 above them with the flanges extending downwardly a second spacing member 25 is then placed on the bolt 14 at right angles to the first member and with the flanges 28 extending upwardly. Such an assembly results in interlocking of the lugs 30 of the two spacing members so that they are securely held relativelycto one another. ,The second spacing member with the lugs 28 standing upwardly is positioned to receive a second pair of signs 24. Upon inserting the second-pair of signs athird spacing member 25 is then assembled to the a bolt stem 14 and with its flanges 28 extending downwardly so that they will overlie the upper edges of the signs. If the cap and'assem-. bled signs are not tobe attached to a post,

end at the time of assembly the parts may be held in proper relationship by tightening the nut 17 to draw the wedgingmeans against the cap member lOso that the assembled signs will be retained in place until the time of attachment tothepost end. To attach the assembled structure to a postend it is only; necessary to loosen the bolt sutficiently to permit the wedging means to telescope the pipe whereupon the bolt is againtightened. The provision of the "spaced ribs 20 on the cap member '10 and the similarly spaced flanges on the spacing members 25 securely POSltlO nS the inserted street signs so "that v upon assembling the postcap to a post end and drawing the nut 17 up tightly to actuate the we dging means the signs will be securely held against movement by being tensioned between the capmember 10 and the nut 17.

The assembly of street signs to the post cap and the attachmentof thecap to the post end is accomplishe'd without the use of attaching means other than provided in the post cap structure alone, and through the medium of single clamping means which not only serves to hold the signs in assembled relationship but which also actuates the wedging means by which the entire assembly is held in place. .The wedging means 12 comprises .a pair of members of similar form each havingia curved portion of substantially semicircular cross section, and attached base portions which are adapted to overlie one an other.- The curved portions of the wedge spaced that the head lomay be readily received between them but may not turn relatively thereto so that upon drawing the nut 17 tight the bolt and wedging member will be held stationary with respect to oneanother. The other 'wedging member 37 is provided with an extending base portion 38 which in assembled position overlies the base portion 38 of the member 32 and is also provided with a clearance hole' 39 for passage of the bolt 14. The'clearance hole 39 is preferably provided of larger diameter than the hole 34 so that the wedging members may move out wardly into clamping engagement relative to one another while still providing clearance for the bolt stem;

.The cap member 10' is provided with a wedging portion which is engaged by the wedging members upon drawingfup-tlie bolt to thereby force the wedging members into clamping engagement with the shown, the extension 40 is of sleeve-like form and is positioned concentrically with respect to the bolt opening 21. The exterior face 41 of the wedge extension 40is conical. A'

downwardly extendingflange 42 is provided on the exterior of the cap member 10 so that upon assembly of the cap member to the pipeend it willoverlie the pipe end'to provide a finished appearance for the as post. As i sembly, and may also serve to strengthen the plpe end against stralns mposed by the wedging 'action of members 32 and 37. Flange 42 and sleeve40 stand concentrically with respect to one another thus providing a ring-like groove 44 within which theend of the pipe 11 is received. Upon tightening V the bolt 14 the wedging members 82 and 37 will be expanded outwardly into engagement with the wall of the pipe as they aredrawn upwardly on the extension 40;

The clamping action ofthe bolt 'tends'to' force the cap downwardly, onthe pipe as the wedging means are drawn upwardly so as to bring the groove 44 ofthe cap into contact with the pipe end. Means are provided on the cap member to engage the pipe end as it approaches this position of contact so that the cap will be heldin interfltting engagement and. will, thus be maintained stationary with respect to the pipe. As shown, spaced wedge ribs 46 are provided atthe iunction otthe outer surface. oi the sleeve 40 with the groove 44. The ribs 46 each terminate in a sharp edge 47 which is angu- 5 intocontact with the pipe ends the'ribs ld will be imbedded in the fin49 on the pipe end which results from cuttingofl a pipe with an ordinary pip'ecutter. To insure contact of the cap groove 44 with the-post tightening of this clamp it maybe desirable to aid the downward movementof the cap by tapping the cap with ahammer. .7

This construction of post cap for attachment of street signs and other articles is quite flexible as to use in that a common bolt may be used in the clampingmeans and may be readily provided in ;Whatever length is necessary to meet different conditions of installation. For example,-if only one pair of signed is to be used,a shorter bolt than the one shown may be provided so that the nut 17 may be tensioned directly against the spacing member 25 on top of this single'pair of signs. If the device is to be used at a street intersection other than 90, spacing members having a proper positioningof the interengaging lugs 30 may be provided for this contingency. If it should be desired to mount three sets of signs, rather than two as illustrated, it is only'necessary to provide a bolt- 14: 0f the proper length and the proper quantity of spacing members 2-5 for the assembly. 1

Referring particularly to Fig. 6, a clamping arrangement is shown which is particularly useful for attachment on'solid post ends or on pipe ends that are too small in diameter to receive the wedging means-on the interior thereof. A cap member is shown having an opening 21" for passage of a bolt 14', and spaced lugs '20 for positioning signs 24, one of which is shown. The

cap 55 is provided with an; outwardly flaring skirt 56 having an inner face 57 which is tapered to receive a pair of'wedgingmembers 58 and 59.. Theseywedging members, like the wedging members described above, have complementary semi-circular wedging portions and are provided with overlapping base portions; the wedge member 59 having a base portion 60 in which is provided a bolt opening 61 togetherwith spaced lugs I 62 whereby the bolt head 15 isheld. The.

base portion 64 of the member 58 is provided with a bolt opening 65 and is, positioned above the base portion 60 of the'wedging member 59 so that clampingmovement of the bolt 14 will be communicated to both wedging members. The sign positioning means are similar to that illustrated in Fig. 1.

In attaching the assembled post cap and signs to the post end the. wedging means are telescoped upon the pipe endandthe "nut'17 end and engagementof the ribs 46 upon is then drawn up tight; Where the wedging members are on the interior of the pipe they "are eXpanded outwardly by contact with the tapering face of the skirt 40 tov thereby provide a secure v clamping" engagement with the pipeQ WVhere the wedging members are on the-exterior of. the pipe, tensioning of the bolt 14 causes thewedge members to be drawnjinwardly against the pipe by contactwith the tapering face 57 ofthe cap member: i a

. Itwillnow be apparent'thata post. cap is i provided comprising-but few parts of simple construction readily, attachable'to'apipe end without-the necessity of a threaded engage- "menttherewith or the use of set. screws.

Also, the arrangement of partsfis such that a single clamping mechanism serves as a,

means of attaching the structure to axpost end, as wellas' a means ofjsecurely position- 5 ing articles such street'si-gns thereon. l/Vhilethe forms of apparatus herein de'' scribed constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the g invention is not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, and that changes may bev made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which defined in the appenda ed claims. 7 7

What is claimed is: v T V i 1.? In a'pparatus'of the character described, adapted to be attached to a post end or the like,a' cap member comprising a'cover portion for the post end and a projection tele- ,4

scopmgthe-postend, awedge member operably associated with the cap member,' and means extending through the cap'member cover portion and operable upon" the cap member for causing said grip said post. p

" '2. In apparatus of the character described, for use in a sign supporting post capstructure adapted'to'beattached to a post end; an attaching clamp comprising a cap mem'- her having a post end cover portion and a wedging porti0n,'wedge means adapted to cooperate with said cap member for clamping engagement with the post end, and means concentrically related to the'cap member cover portion and operable to move the wedgemeans into clamping engagement between the cap member andthe post end.

3. In apparatus of the character described,

for use in a sign supporting post cap structure adapted to be attached to a post end; an

wedge member to attaching clamp comprising a cap member.

having a post end cover portion and a wedglngiportlon thereomwedge means adapted to cooperate with said cap member for clampingiengagement with .the post end, and

clamping means extending concentrically through the cap membercover portion and between the cap member and wedge means, SillClClillIlPlIlg means bemgoperable to move the wedge means in'to. clamping engagement "between the cap member andthe post end.

5. In apparatus of the character described,

for use in a post cap structure adapted to be attached to a post end for supporting street signs and like articles; an attachingclamp comprising a cap member having a wedging portion thereon, wedge means adapted to 'cooperate with the wedging portion of said cap membervfor clamping engagement with the post end, means for supporting a street sign on said cap member, clamping means, a sign receiving member on said clamping means,

7 said clamping means extending between the sign receiving member and wedge means and operable to clamp thesig'n between the sign receiving member and cap member while movingthe wedge means into clampingengagement between the capmember and the post end. I v

V I 6. In'apparatus of the character described, for use in a post cap structure adapted to be attached to a post end for supporting signs;

" an attaching clamp comprising a cap member receivable on said post end, sa1d cap member having a wedging portion thereon, gripping means on said cap member adapted to be imbedded in said post end,.wedge means adapted to cooperate withsaid cap member for clamping engagement with the post. end, means for supporting a. sign on said cap member, and clamping means extending between the sign and wedge means'andoperable to move the wedge vmeans and gripping ;means into engagement with the post end.

7 In apparatus of the character described,

for use in a post cap structure, an attaching clamp comprising a cap member receivable on a post end, said cap member having a flange extension adapted to overlie said post end and a concentrically positioned wedging portion adapted to extend within said pipe.

end, wedge means operably associated with the wedging portion of said cap member, and

clamp means operable'between the cap member and wedge means for causlng said wedge means to grip the post.

8. In apparatus of the character described, for use in'a post cap structure adapted to be attached to a hollow post end for supporting street signs and like articles; an attach-' 1 ing clamp comprising a cap member receivcable on said pipe end, sa1d cap member havring a flange extension overlying said post end '7 and a concentrically positioned wedging portion extending within said pipe end, wedge means adapted tocooperate with said wedging portion for. clamping engagement with the postend, saidwedge means comprising complementary members having curved portions 'receivablebetween the wedgingportion V of the capmember and the interior wall of the post and overlapping base portions, and clamping means extending. between the cap member and wedge members and operable 'to move thewedge members into clamping engagement between 'thejcap member and the post end.

9'. In apparatus ofthecharacter described, foruse in a post cap {structure adapted to be comprising :a capzmember having a project ing portion receivable onthe outside of said post-end and a portion forming a cover for the'post end, a pair of wedge members movably positioned between the projecting portion' of the cap member andthe post end, and a clamping bolt extending through said 'wedge members'and the cap member and adapted to move the wedge members into clamping engagementbetween the cap member and'the' post end.

10. In apparatus of -.the character described, for use in a post cap structure adapted to be attached to a post endfor supporting street signs and like articles; an attaching clamp comprising a cap member having sign supporting means provided thereon,

wedging means adapted to cooperate with said cap member for clamping-engagement 'with the post end,-spa'ced signs, a sign re ceiving member, clamping means compris- 1ng a bolt having a stem portion extendmg 1 attached to a poste nd; an attaching clamp through said wedgingm-eans, cap member, 7

and sign receiving member and adapted to be tightened to draw. the wedging means into engagement'with the cap member, and to tension the signs between the sign' receiving member and cap member so that the signs will be maintained in-assembled position until such time that the clamp is loosened for attachment to a post end.

11. In apparatus of the character described, adaptedto be attached to a post end,

or the like, a cap member, wedgingmeans comprising members contacting with the cap member and having overlapping portions with related openingstherein, a single member passing through the" openings of the members and connecting the wedging means to the cap member, said connectingmember being movable to effect clamping between the post end, cap member and wedging means.

' 12. In apparatus of the character described, adapted to be attached to a post end 7 or the like, a cap member having a taperlng portion telescopically related to the post end, wedglng means comprising members contacting With the cap member, each of said members having a seml-cyhndrlcal portlon and a tfransverse extension with an openlng therein, a single member passing through the openings of the members and connecting the Weclging means to the cap member, said connecting member being movable to efli'e'ct clamping between the post end, cap member and Wedging means. 7

13. In apparatus of the character described, adapted to be attached to a post end,

or the like, a capmember, Wedging means comprising members having axially related openings, article attaching means comprising a single bolt passing through the openings of the Wedging means and the cap member and joining said parts into an assembly attachable to a post cap as a unit.

In testimony whereof I hereto afiix my signature. i

DONALD MoDANIEL, 

